Cardiff Times - April 2023 by Cardiff Times Magazine

April 2023

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Spring is here and it’s been a delight to have a stroll around Roath Park Lake, soaking up the sunshine and inhaling the scent from the Purple Sensa�on Hyacinth. You can’t miss the fragrance as you walk by the lighthouse.

It’s hard to believe we wrote a year ago about the conﬂict between Ukraine and Russia. Ukrainian EDITORS LE people have shown immense bravery and resilience. CARDIFF TIMES Let’s hope a peace agreement will be made soon so Ukrainian people can have stability once more.

Welcome

We have our usual array of ar�cles from our PUBLISHER Hi All, and our November issue. fabulous contributors and it’s great towelcome havetoSara Cardiff Times It only seems like yesterday we were completing our las John back a� er a bout of ill health. a month has moved on since. Time really does fly by. C EDITOR

seems to be doing it's rounds in schools in Cardiff, espe our daughter’s primary school, but luckily, we know of n

Louise Denning

07903 947594 marked the awareness Last month of illEndometriosis. is seriously with the virus. Thank goodness so many p have received vaccinations. Suﬀ erers can experience a debilita� ng pain that FEATURES EDITOR October is always a quiet month for us in terms of birthd Marktake Denning celebrations or justUrgent going out in general. This could be b can up to 10 years to be diagnosed. we are starting to think about the chaos and non-stop ac 07758 247194 is the month of December and mentally preparing ourse a�en�on is needed as many women are suﬀering certain celebration, or it could just be we haven’t been in SALES & MARKETING go anywhere! inBeth silence for far too long. More informa�on can be This month though, we'll be celebrating our daughter's b beth@cardiff-times.co.uk found on page 39. Not sure what she wants to do or where she wants to go

she keeps changing her mind on ideas to celebrate her sounds a bit like her mum! (that was Mark saying that b

CONTRIBUTORS Last but not least would like toway!). congratulate the Wyn Evans, Vince Nolan, Andtheir another magniﬁ celebration this month is the book launch o Women’s SixMarsh, Na�ons team a�er cent Sara John, Carl talented writer Sara John, who not content with providin Michael Fogg, KellieIreland. Williams, Wishinganthe incredibly varied number of articles, has now turned victory against players Ralph Oates, Natalie McCulloch, to writing her own book. Jen Abell and coaches the best of luck for the rest of the Last but not least our third celebration goes to……. the and our talented writers. We have only gone and won a tournament. magazine award. It's great to be recognised after all the

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A huge well done to each and every one of our dedicate inspirational writers, and a pat on the back for us, some the hard work is worth it after all!

Louise and Mark

Please continue to stay safe everyone, and until next m happy reading.

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Alice in Wonderland byWyn Evans Let me start by paying tribute to a local success story, one that hails from and has added to the quality of life in CF23: The Barinowsky School of Ballet (BSB). Yesterday, Sunday 26th March, it seemed that Penylan had moved en masse to Barry; to the Memorial Hall, to be specific. The reason for this exodus was that the BSB was staging two showings of its ballet ‘Alice in Wonderland’, at 1pm and 5pm. I didn’t actually perform a headcount but there must have been seventy or eighty kids there aged from four or five to eighteen plus. The Memo (as the Memorial Hall is now branded) was packed up to and including the very back of the balcony upstairs. My daughter, The Girl has been a member of the BSB almost her whole life. She has her 17th birthday tomorrow and has been a keen ballerina since she was four or five. The s chool offers its dancers the chance to study for examinations under the aegis of the Royal Academy of Dance and also gives its kids the chance to perform little shows at the end of each term, keeping parents and others in the loop and allowing the kids the opportunity to show their learning. Then, every few years the school has taken over the Memo and put on what can only be called ‘A Production! Capital ‘A’, capital ‘P’’. Add to these events a summer school most years and annual completion of RAD examinations and you will gather just what a committed and creative school the BSB is. I’m tempted to write that it is Penylan’s best kept secret except, of course, that it is no secret: if you’re a parent of a little girl, at the risk of typecasting , you will have discovered the BSB. (I’ve seen some little boys attending too, though it does seem to be more a girl thing.)

Now, regular readers will recall that The Girl has Down Syndrome. All that time ago when The Boss and I were new to parenting and looking around for activities for our girl, we found that Penylan was a wonderful place to bring up a child and over the years it became quite a long list of activities: Waterbabies begat swimming club, Music with Mothers (and dads), baby yoga, Brownies and Guides, athletics at NIAC, Twisters Trampolining, a choir, judo, guitar lessons, and there were many more. Then of course there were clubs and societies aimed at kids with disabilities in general and Down Syndrome in particular. We wanted The Girl to crossover between the mainstream/typically developing and specialist/disability worlds, and for her to be at home in both. I think it’s fair to say that I didn’t always get it right for her. There were a few bust-ups with mums or dads

6 CARDIFF TIMES

when what I perceived as non-inclusive behaviour was me being over-sensitive in behalf of my daughter. Equally, there were occasions when kids or parents cancelled The Girl owing to her disability, so learning went both ways. Pretty soon, ballet classes were close to the top of our list of activities. Having Down Syndrome means that motor skills take longer to develop. We wanted to find a dance club that would take this into account. Then we met Miss Emily and the BSB! From our very first meeting she was life-affirming. She got to know our girl and always sought to concentrate on what could be done rather than what couldn’t. It was evident that she took the measure of all the kids in her care and found in them all, each and every one, something positive. In the jargon, she got to know the kids where they were at and built on their strengths. Obviously, in strict ballet terms, some of the class could do things the Girl could not but space was found for them all to make progress. My daughter’s cohort have worked through the RAD’s graded exams together and this year are studying for Grade 7. Yes, The Girl is studying on her merits for the same Grade 7 as her typically developing peers! There are still things some of them can do that she cannot but the things she can do are manifold

and, allied to her deep love of dance, have seen her develop from being one of the chorus in the first Memo production some years ago to becoming one of the soloists in yesterday’s Alice in Wonderland: she was Dormouse, she nailed her solo, and looked very cute indeed. Another thing I like about the BSB is that Miss Emily paid attention to all her dancers’ strengths. Just as Dormouse got to demonstrate what she could do, some of the other senior girls, sorry – young women, were given the opportunity to demonstrate that they could surely take this dancing malarkey to a professional level in the future. Oh! I’d intended simply to write a few sentences paying tribute to everyone involved in yesterday’s production. Instead, I seem to have made a column out of it. So be it! Allow me please to thank Misses Emily and Caitlin for giving all the girls the chance to shine. And let me add that Miss Emily is one of the finest teachers I’ve ever come across – in any sphere - and one of the nicest people. To all at the BSB, over many years, thank you! Photographs Wyn Evans apart from The Girl in green Tutu, which was taken by Gemma Chapple. CARDIFF TIMES 7

Cardiff Times March - Page 2_Layout 1 22/02/2023 09:19 Page 1

NADIYA & KAI Once Upon a Time 23.04.23

HATERS ROAST The Shady Tour 08.04.23

PUCCINI MADAMA BUTTERFLY 21.04.23

WARD THOMAS Music in the Madness 11.04.23

SARA PASCOE Success Story 01.04.23

ICELAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 27.04.23

JOHANNES RADEBE Freedom Unleashed 14.04.23

GIOVANNI PERNICE Made in Italy 16.04.23

HELLO AGAIN The Neil Diamond Songbook 02.04.23

THE SENSATIONAL 60S EXPERIENCE 28.04.23

RUMOURS OF FLEETWOOD MAC 06.04.23

Cardiff Times - May_Layout 1 20/03/2023 10:38 Page 1

BBC NATIONAL ORCHESTRA OF WALES 17.05.23

MEET & BEAT THE BEAST feat. Mark Labbett 04.05.23

GRETCHEN PETERS Roots Unearthed 23.05.23

AN AUDIENCE WITH LIVERPOOL LEGENDS 19.05.23

ALYSSA EDWARDS Becoming Alyssa 03.05.23

GOGO PENGUIN Everything is Going to Be OK 24.05.23

ANTON DU BEKE & FRIENDS 07.05.23

THE HALLÉ feat. Sheku Kanneh-Mason 20.05.23

KATIE MELUA Love & Money 09.05.23

THE CARPENTERS SONGBOOK 13.05.23

THE ELVIS YEARS The Story of The King 21.05.23

LUCIE JONES & The Fulltone Orchestra 05.05.23

‘And Another Thing...’ The Joys of Retail Therapy byVince Nolan I went to a well-known local supermarket the other day to put diesel into the old jalopy (I know, living the dream). The pump did not appear to want to do what it was paid to do and dispense fuel. I looked somewhat bemused as a man of my age is prone to when simple things do not work. All of a sudden a disembodied voice over the Tannoy said: “Pump number six, place the nozzle in the tank and I will turn on the fuel.” I thought to myself, with a face like that you couldn’t turn on anything else, but I let it pass. Of course I complied and lost the better part of £100 in liquid glory of a non-drinking variety. No payment at the pump facility so I entered the shop and asked the operator what this new approach was all about. Helpfully they said: “Health and safety gone mad mate.” My quick response was: “So this large box which I nearly tripped over when I came in here is not dangerous is it?” I did not wait for a response. Talking of supermarkets another thing that has annoyed me of late is the steal-by dates on perishable foodstuffs. We recently suffered sour milk all over our morning cereal when it allegedly had another three weeks left before transitioning into cottage cheese. Nobody takes gone off foodstuffs back to the supermarket though do they. Continuing the theme, if canned goods were to expire, would that make them canned bads and what would you call an expired avocado? A guacamouldy one assumes. Next up, She Who Must Be Obeyed had broken her glasses abseiling down a cliff face during Commando training and I offered to take them to a well-known optician franchise in the same supermarket as above. I really must stay in more. Anyway, they couldn’t fix 10 CARDIFF TIMES

them so I went to the locksmith and watch repair place next door who did a marvellous job on them. People talk about retail therapy, really?

Now these guys got it right at our favourite pub in Devonland. The sharp-eyed amongst you will notice that the doorbell has been removed. I have no doubt people will still stand there like melons or perhaps lemons, not having quite worked out how to open a door on their own. Attention seekers! In conversation with the Current Mrs Nolan the other day (we still talk, well I listen mainly) and I used the phrase “Bungalow Brain” (nothing upstairs) to describe somebody who was not the sharpest tack in the box. Apparently she had not heard this for some time and took it to her place of employment and shared it with her chums. It seems they have all adopted it now, so nice to make a positive contribution eh? The aforementioned Leader of the Opposition attends a yoga class one evening a week and ever the helpful spouse I drop her off and

stealing mail at gunpoint guessconvicted but it wouldofcertainly have caused a major him back into the wild. No harm something wrong is called a typo. So hemp if smacking kids law introduced in Walestoforheckle was to tease oritcomb-out flax or andI say wassomething sentenced toisdeath bya talko? diplomatic incident. …..well, until next door’s cat got 2022. Whilst being welcomed by most wrong it called sure that we had properly warmed up sincefibres. we didn’t wantmodern to pull anymeaning drinking The was coined in Dundee realised that our celebration coincided with to So: “Any of you awould number of subatomic right-minded people it us will of course bea minimum nothing Furthermore, a typo on the a headstone be Just beten clear: Did about urologist hanging. He refused a pardon inparticles 1833 Unfortunately, only six of turned up and of were required orhear the in the early 19th century. As the hecklers toiled in the Stereophonics and Tom Jones being due carrying a fractional electric charge, postulated but bad news for the Cardiff under 14’s a grave error? Between typos and autocorrect repair to the local hostelry, The Downward ff. I engaged four old-timers who were the sold bar have been who(could was eaten bythe bear? He was meteorologist ing, if Ithe were illegally hunting for inhad as building blocks the hadrons. Quarks at Principality Stadium which Andrew Jackson andthe from President Lederhosen Formation Slap Ensemble it’s getting harder toof post stuffaread these days. One the factory, one of athe team would out days’ Dog (you look itVale) up –and IDancing had to and then don’t ionedout ones from the Taff asked them whether they fancied having a have not been directly observed but theoretical the City hotels. The concerts were then (meaty urologist, oh please yourselves). ld I have questionable morels? who will try no longer be slapping eacha other as tiny mistake and your whole post is urined. it at home), where I pass leisurely hour news and others would butt in with constant was executed after Court ur and free beerand for the afternoon. Fearing some of the honey trap, they tookonthe cancelled weunless found athey City centre hotelkind predictions based theirSupreme existence have part ofa their routines are given wrestling with agenuine. crossword puzzle and of The Leader of the Opposition and I were sitting in uincing callfor deer who has lost both that my offer was Cautiously, they agreed to join us. Picture the interruptions and a stream of “furious debate.” hurrah! theMinister. fickle finger A ruled been confi rmed experimentally.” Ohwanted The world has taken strangeiftwist –please! at leastWith he could turn ita down he special £80, dispensation by ourthe First course tuningHowever, in to local populous. scene, 5pm onasa for sunny ourinsocially local, The Funky Furlough, accident? No eye deer. of fate (presumably thetalking middleabout one),this And mesons and baryons, we could be the parts I collated seem to occupy. Iquality have been mind Idistanced have some put-downs young couple were athen weekend to. No pleasing some folk. weekday evening at the side How long have you had arthritis?” “IRugby don’t intervened and cancelled the offi ce lunch here all night. Saw thisinTrump ina acampervan local pub Ion their specials board: reading about a proposal for the 2027 when a lady close by to us asked the Bar Manager at when dies, will give they were planning. The which comics have usedonto deal with modern day entrance to the Brewery ustopic toand wander lonely as some clouds “We leaving Love Local champion local farms World Cup which will prevent any team in “but red I have arthritis, Father,” the drunk said, main was which sandwiches tothe make if toilets were still upstairs. He ofother course say: “He is today how he was as hecklers: I was at the hairdressers the day for my Caroline Street where four he time it tried to around the Castle and its outdoor bar facilities and fisheries.” All very laudable but the first shirts and green shirts playing each other to ensure that we had properly warmed up since we didn’t want to pull any drinking in scalping the paper that the Pope does.” and take on hols. I assumed there were just read Continuing January when the Jimmy pensioners who could barely until frostbite got the better offront us forced usand confi rmed that they were but Ipeople thought thisNail to song be ato wearing make-up and lying inof item on their menu was Mediterranean Olives. because colour blind often struggle les. only six us and turned up a minimum of ten were required or theUnfortunately, other three no cooking facilities onboard. Egg mayo “Ain’t Nohanging Doubt - She’s Lying” came on thethe “What size of shoe does your mouth take?” stand were seen onto back toina the hotelsame we did not need. Much fun, but Overheard pub: “Every time we distinguish between the two. Not criticising Staying with the drink, there has always the were ropeinterested. very stupid question. I would have said something omlinson won the day four in case you was off. I engaged old-timers who were inthem the bar (could have been the wireless. Totally unscripted, the Wales, masked ahow lamppost, for rather we quickly found here.” out that there is asay. limit to come here we come You don’t of support, course but thisattached wouldwe, affect Sounded riveting. It got better. They were been much snobbery toknow wine. like: “I don’t ked by themulled son ofwine a good friend singers in the chairs and our masked stylists theme: “This is illumination. what comes from drinking on an empty mentioned ones from the Taff Vale) and asked them whether they fancied having a much one can drink before falling than An Canada, Ireland, Tonga, Russia, South Africa joined dates by a third gang member and they Indeed, out sell-buy before people make a living from it, all started to sway and sing to the music in a over. afternoon they would and Japan. This had me in mind of that quote whentrap, madam write a perused urology forbeer his Dad’s head.” ery tour and free for the afternoon. some kind of honey theywas took onof the menu forSoap upwards half anFearing scene reminiscent from The Full Monty when but I am making a stand because of the al supermarket on a Friday yave 3 shops I really from BBC snooker commentator Ted Lowe never…… remember. The newoffer guy asked the server where with us butatwe thehour. heart to say eulogy convincing that my was genuine. Cautiously, agreed tolast join us. Picture thewho they they all started dancing inof the queue the a rope famously said during one his commentaries: I’m giving up wine, everyhanding day, all “Iisknow where CEO you were when they were ables would make the all withthat Mark Dacey (on the leS) Iwho thelockdowns. dynamic of the chicken had come would have Boots and job centre. Fortunately all sharp implements scene, 5pm onare aday. sunny moved them outtoto he meant. Anyway, here is from. “And for those ofthat’s who watching insay black A drunk who smelled like ayou this on the radio the same How Pope on a month. No wait, not it. I’m giving given him a Cardiff postcode. In the end, the brains out………getting an extra helping ofup. hadand some doubt were downed forsat a is few short minutes and then olleges. Itsausage does not whether need me to suggest the uncanny and white, the pink next to the green.” ugs weekday evening at the side brewery got on a bus and the car park many “Return the crocodile to its rightful owner by three bowls of non-poultry chips! The third every dayThe all month! further comment, just like in a musical, mouth.”Winewithout car for the journey home. rope to a priest. Ricky Tomlinson or of vice versa. witchcraft” in Kwazulu. It goes something to Brewery guy thenaffectionately started talking about a lady hedown next ave had enough months ago aslike aonthe e tale, (he was everybodyentrance wentwe back to the their day job Interesting lyric heard on the wireless it’s nothing to do with EU drunk's shirt was stained, his like “Buyisa ingwenya kumnikazi wayo worked with. He said: “She hasn’t told me Two people out on a first date. “Do you Caroline Street where four nothing had happened. Lockdown has a lot to no other day: “Sports bra and aconsequence Maserati car.” “Domy you know, ifbright you wore soundproof trousers direct fi because his likeness ave to home school face was full of red ngokuthakatha.” You will thank me one day ell-buy dates before butfriend a recent local supermarket pection of of the packaging yet that she’s my but wetrip areto closer answer for but that was very funny. like Merlot Tammy?” “Yes, but you don’t Who would have thought of that combination? pensioners who could barely I once owned one of the chewed pencils which one hear word you’re saying.” Perhaps lipstick and he a had a halfwhen you need this.of Covid19.” yan leader), involved a trip than thethat one I was with before.” This would bloke ghlight of the make the following Monday. Instand fact Ihave no perishables for fruit and vegwould like Apparently many including a poet onto called pronounce the “t.” “Oh, Ok.”hanging Looks at were seen empty bottle of wine sticking Shakespeare used to write his famous works. used The Leader of The Opposition andI He I were was circa 35 and staring down the barrel of this isgently why do not run play France. Wecar for the Dave Cox whom I have just “discovered”. So these comestibles Row, row, row your boat, down the yWales would make it to the journey home. What is going one day leS on the sell-buy date. It takes an inordinate amount of skill to supply then it’s serious, “Is that your real face or are you still celebrating outwaiter: of hislistening pocket. opened “TwoHe Merlots for on me and Ammy.” toaproperty Michael Ball the wireless. another non-relationship it seemed to me. lamppost, for support, rather Intellectual rules prevent me quoting to chew on with it so much that IIfstarted couldn’t whether itforget wasto atell pub. 20 year relationship withCloser stream, you see aDonny crocodile, don'twho in-@me” 24 hours towas spare. Waste levels must be astronomical. his and mes, picked, packaged, He interviewing Osmond with supply issues? inspec@on ofnewspaper the packaging or theEU excitement. inimum of ten were required or Halloween?” than illumination. Andog any of hisDr work here but I encourage you to scream! Our friend H has trained her Daisy Now I am in no position to discuss marriage of minutes later, he asked theorpriest, "Father, what causes arthritis?" A in wife sent her d,couple played themaround home and hadhim been appearing in panto at the London 2B not 2B. Staying with the Bard, days gone by, distributed UK A recent WalesOnline article bizarrely claimed look up. A real comedy genius and hugely or fruit and veg like Tanzania and Argen@na. So these Staying with food, I have been doing some research into what is no longer manuf off. Iloose engaged fourrecently old-timers afternoon they would guidance but Ibeing was reminded of the swas caused by living, with cheap, wicked women, too much alcohol, and to bring herthis a bottle ofhusband red wine. No surprise Palladium. Donny was speaking about a “Your bus leaves in 10 minutes... Be under it.” a romantic international weekends. On that GPs were working 40 months an hour refreshing. d to the shops and put on I love quote I stumbled across recently order to aattract women, Ihere used to use this quote from the UK. The list isport endless but ismentor a He small (Belgium), Smar@e story of(could a couple whoin were having marriage re in the bar have been the exo@c climes, picked, packaged, taken to the or airport, for your fellow man," priest replied. "Imagine that," theformer drunk muttered. never…… remember. acting ofsample: his whoPringles told him the really, she’s a Bordeaux collie. I was sat A phrase overtime. I we have nothe doubt they are ridiculously from none other than Tchaikovsky: text message. She wrote: “If you are sleeping, send (Mike’s fi rst), we did it in the eft on the sell-buy date. It Colman’s English Mustard ( Germany), Terrys Chocolate Orange (France) and guidance session. The husband said: “My o reading his paper. The priest, thinking about what he had said, turned to the following: “Theatre is the only place where you ntioned ones frombut the Taff Vale) “Well, it’sthe night out him.. and a 82: night off for hisHP ( Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Act III, Scene IV, line Ia have also been reading Bob Mortimer’s Recent clue: “Brush under the ouses then delivered to40 the shops and put on shelves with stretched at crossword present, months an hour? “Inspiration isfor aStaggering. guest who never visitsother with She Who Must Be Obeyed the m the 18th Century wife keeps referencing Star Wars and I can’t Parliament) Sauce (The Netherlands). pologised: "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to come on so strong. How long have you had can dream in public. Your job as an actor is nt of skill to supply goods me your dreams. If you areyou laughing, sendlike methat y, athem bus towhether ferry crossing autobiography which I also strongly carpet 5Dover, and 4.” Thean answer over.” ed they fancied That’s over three years hour. was The“gloss only way family.” A Don’t drunk who smelled ayour the lazy.” think it’s strange day whilst she sipped a glass of wine take it anymore!” Whereupon he stormed out to deliver that dream” which we thought was "I don't have arthritis, Father," the drunk said, "but I just read in the paper that recommend. Funny, poignant andIfby very clever, Picture the poor trying to maybe learn English. todo spare. Waste levels ot straight was tobrewery would be tostudent time travel smile. If you are knock.” eating, send me a known bite. you are I this was sitting next towife him. Atso most composers are only Here’s one you: “Knock “Who’s there?” oldtheir lady.” asaris. tour and free beer for the brewery got a“LiKle bus and sat “LiKle old la of the His said: “Divorce isfor strong and she said, “IOh love you so much, you rather good. yes it In is.on oes." but enough about me. it he recalls a tale “Hello.” – room. try it in German accent: “If“II need they Student were referring toaDr Who. In “Imy world this you like Van Gogh needed stereo.” surnames? Imagine we were all only known had no idea you could yodel.” drinking, send me a sip. If you are crying, send me ed Customs Offi cer came onto n. Fearing some kind of honey trap, with this one.” arp and weft). Of down next toI could a priest. The about having chronic as abeing child understand zis correctly, in ze afirst place you know. Icourt don’t know how ever live would be like driving at 40 hours mile which by our surnames. Itflatulence would be accused like back I was reading about a case where the Thanks to my cousin Lawrence for this joke. th theare drink, there hasbut always been kwith some convincing that my offer was which was both embarrassing and atwork times your tears. I in love you.” Her husband texted back: “ as “Just hold up your passports brushing benease your carpet and zen you drunk's shirt was stained, his would be quite slow not unlike trying to I am a man of a certain age so my tolerance threshold does as well it use the related without you.” I said, “Is that you or the wine I walked into our local bar, The Moaning Monet and school. I said to my mate Noah: “You Looking at the origins of the word Astronaut beenattached doing some research What do youDuring call a Frenchman wearing bbery to wine. Indeed, very painful. one particular attack he add shiny paint over it. You British!” was described as “having murderous intent.” I was .me Cautiously, they agreed tonothing join us. negotiate the recent traffic carnage in Cardiff par@cularly when being asked to embrace new technology. I was therefore I’m in the toilet, please advise.” along and count them and should change your surname to Fence...... face was full of bright red the other day (there was on TV) and talking?” She said, “It’s me talking the sandals? Flop! Quickly by a I heart Van Gogh sitting at the end on afollowed bar stool. nufactured init,they the UK. The ke a living from butimpose I am making alanessaw went to the Phillipe Doctors who managed to to “release City Centre as bike on the he scene, 5pm on a sunny weekday as I am sure you know, it is derived from the No offence.” My mates’ family surname isWhat3Words. She Who Must Be Obeyed suggested I download a new app called what I writ: quite topoem learn that had nothing to do lipstick and hequotes had athe halfd to me and saidword “I Pringles didn’t know Staying with games, I completed a wordwine.” shouted “Hey Vince do you want a drink?” use of the lockdowns. I’m giving up disappointed the pressure” forthis him. He Doctor a,rest small sample: of us. let’s call her Dr Greek for Star Sailor which I think is rather Daniels. So rather hilariously they named naviga@on aid which divides the World into 3 metre squares and gives each squar atday, the side entrance to the puzzle myNophone I correctly guessed asRoses saying: “Better an empty house than a empty bottle of wine sticking ysport all month. wait, that’s not Happy New Yearfirst Dear Reader, the Year of the and Ion haven’t got and one.” I Brewery with camping. ada), Colman’s English can be red, Violets are purple. Just groovy. their child Jack. She hates it. combina@on ofFinally, three words. I s@ll“No drivethanks, about a lot for business, believe it or not atenant” blessing for the drink: God,good. ingot his one theevery they were looking for was ut with Dr Rword who line Street where four pensioners He shouted back: I’ve already The Sainted Mother-In-Law was looking for car noisy which I thought was very ng up.that Wine day all month! out of his pocket. opened saying. Ox. Apparently this year is going toHe be lucky orChocolate words to as that effect. Then, inassured a Having s Orange Hadron in the Hadron Collider. no that this system would be much more accurate than using our sat nav. I u goodness, sent the grapes, to cheer both insurance now that her stunt driving days are Presumably this was in the days before the uld barely were hanging Westand recently had aseen fab day out at Crocodiles Finally, Ihis need your help.lost Which letter is ear.” nting. We recently Finally, news, my friend David has his ID. newspaper and started out on awhat first date. “Do you this was really alllike about Isad decided with the Ox representing diligence, persistence nteover. of aclue War 2 prisoner of war of Parliament) Sauce (The the first @me the other day and the unique three word loca@on I was looking for w IWorld managed to find a reasonable policy, Doctors were working 40 months an hour. a tip: Never leave your greatFinally, and Little fools willS drink too of the World in Brize Norton. Here’s a couple silent small. intop the bathroom word "Scent," the or the C as amppost, for support, rather than mmy?” “Yes, but you tocouple look itpinned. up. I don’t wishforIpronounce hadront bovvered (see ng. A of minutes later, he asked the priest, "Father, what causes arthritis?" note was sorted it out and paid it. She in turn kindly Now he is just Dav. 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He and thus react through the agency of the otDr be outdone we move, whilst we were both ofto course countered this with “There was really the veryher same time. H has trained dog Daisy to bring her a bottle of red wine. No surprise lady who?” “I had no idea ned to reading his paper. The priest, thinking about what he had said, turned to the strong The hadrons embrace who smelled apriceless brewery got mesons, no need to force. give like me a impressionist uncontrollably. The wing note: “Please sng a Bordeaux collie. I was satCustoms with Who Must Be Obeyed the other day whilst baryons and their Trouble painting butdown thank youmany anyway.” Again, completely I heard apologised: "I'm sorry, I She didn't mean to come on so strong. How long have you had sand and sat next tocoincidentally, aresonances.” priest. us, did is I the thencount, wantedmissed to knowMike what a quark was.

tis?" "I don't arthritis, Father," the drunk said, "but I just read in the paper that nk’s shirt washave stained, his face As we when people type age sohave my observed tolerance CARDIFF TIMES 11 of bright ope does."red lipstick and he had s well as it used to mpty bottle of wine sticking out of ked to embrace new et.with He opened histhere newspaper and been ng the drink, has always

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CARDIFF TIMES 13

In The Words Of

by Carl Marsh

production. So, if you want that, head to the Bristol Hippodrome from the 18th of May to the 1st of July.

 FILM REVIEW Bandit - Amazon Prime

INTRO RANT All I have to say this month is a follow-on from last month's rant about Welsh Labour and its infatuation with cycling lanes. As I drive past many of these lanes, both those in use and those being created, where are all the cyclists? Do Welsh Labour presume everyone will be biking to work or going to go food shopping - if they did, it would be mouse portions only! Is this the start of something untoward against all vehicle owners? And why can't they repair all the potholes, which are getting more shocking by the day? And I guarantee those serious cyclists with all the fancy lycra won't use a designated cycle lane. So, what's the point, Welsh Labour? One waits. We all are waiting for your response.

THEATRE REVIEW The Lion King - The Lyceum Theatre, London. [Bristol Hippodrome in 18th May to 1st July] I'm a sucker for the film of the same name, so when Disney invited me to London with my daughter to see the stage show - they even paid for the train tickets - and go backstage afterwards, how could I say no? The venue was packed, and when I got to speak to one of the staff later, this was an everyshow occurrence. As you can see from my pics, the detail in some of the props is mind-blowing, and even though it seems a vast venue, I can say that every single portion of space backstage is utilised. The Lion King is not coming to Cardiff but is in Bristol, which is not far. It is well worth the visit. Many a time, whilst watching the show, I had tears in my eyes. It's a class 14 CARDIFF TIMES

Based on a true story directed by Allan Ungar, this movie is a feel-good movie we all need right now. Somewhat of a strange thing for me to say, seeing as the protagonist in this movie is a bank robber - Gilbert Galvan Jr had robbed so many Canadian banks, yet even the cops and bank tellers said he was the nicest person they had met/been robbed by - yet to this day, he is best friends with the cop that finally arrested him. Playing Gilbert is Josh Duhamel, and with support from Elisha Cuthbert and Mel Gibson, this is a quality production. This film makes you smile and ponder what you would do in Gilbert Galvan Jr's situation. He did try to go straight, albeit on the run from the US after a jailbreak, but he'd found love and had a baby on the way. So he had to survive, provide, and pay the bills. I'm not saying what he did was what most of us would do, but this movie depicts how one man did this without becoming a monster or becoming violent in his newfound bank-robbing career!

 INTERVIEWS Appearing at not one but two consecutive nights [24/25 April] at the Cardiff International Arena, Olly Murs tells me about his love of the Welsh crowd and how one of his songs is not really what the press would make you believe. Sara Pascoe has not long given birth to her first child, and the comedian opens up about a few things that parenthood has opened her eyes to! She's appearing at St David's Hall on the 1st of April. Have a great April, and see you all next month! Carl Marsh Twitter - @InTheWordsOf_CM YouTube - InTheWordsOf

Very much a household name thanks to The X-Factor [2nd place], presenting Starstruck and being a coach on The Voice UK, Olly Murs brings his latest tour, 'Marry Me' for not one, but two nights this month. When I spoke to him, it was all a secret about that second night, but it's all good now, but at the time… Carl Marsh

Must you be overjoyed with that extra night based on that first night having nearly sold out? And when this interview goes out (most probably), all the tickets for the second night will be near enough all gone too. Olly Murs

Yeah, I can't wait. It's going to be brilliant. I mean, having a second show at Cardiff just shows the support I've got in Wales, and the people are so lovely over there. So, it's going to be such a great night. And yeah, it's gonna be a nice standing crowd, there's going to be a lot of fun… shouting, singing. And, yeah, it's just the best group of people. So, I look forward to it. Carl Marsh

What are your highlights about playing in Wales, I know you've played Cardiff many times over the years. Is there any tour in particular where the audience's appreciation has given you that two-way connection of artist to audience, and vice-versa? Olly Murs

It's just been like I said, that I always seem to get on really well with the Welsh people. I've had some really good times with the supporters. I remember once when I was celebrating my birthday there a few years ago. We had a right laugh. I suppose that I sit next to Sir Tom [Jones] every week on the panel on The Voice is one of the other reasons why the fans love me because I've gotten on so well with Tom. Carl Marsh

The tour is called 'Marry Me' and is the name of your latest album. Perhaps your most personal album to date, in my opinion. One of the songs is called 'I Hate You When You're Drunk'. Is that aimed at your girlfriend and now fiancée? Olly Murs

[Laughs] I think anyone who's got a friend, partner, or someone in their life that when they're out drinking, they just sort of get on their nerves. So it's more like a fun song. But, of course, you love them, and they're brilliant, you know… but that's definitely a song that I'm going to enjoy singing in Wales, that's for sure.

Credit Edward Cooke

Because I know they like a good night out in Wales. So, there'll be quite a few friends singing and screaming in their friends' faces, you know, going, "I Hate You When You're Drunk" [Laughter]. It's all very tasteful. There's no malice in it. It's like when you're sober and see your friends drinking, and there's always one person saying: "For God's sake, I hate you when you're drunk. You're so annoying!" [Laughs] It's more playful, and yeah, it's just about everyone, really. Carl Marsh

What are you like when you're drunk, if you don't mind me asking? Olly Murs

I'm full of beans. I'm a bit of a livewire when I'm drunk. I'm 100 miles an hour and, yeah, a bit mad. But you won't see me like that anymore. I'm a different man now. Olly Murs - Cardiff International Arena - 24th & 25th April 2023 - Tickets = £various CARDIFF TIMES 15

Having starred in her own BBC2 sitcom [Out of Her Mind] that she also wrote, Sara Pascoe brings her new comedy tour 'Success Story' to Cardiff's St David's Hall on 1st April. With various current TV works like being the host of 'The Great British Sewing Bee' on BBC2, Comedy Central's 'Guessable' and shows on the radio, podcasts and authoring books. Sara has also not long given birth to her first child, which is where I open the interview...

exclude people as you always think that some people find parenthood stuff boring, but actually, what I talk about is trying for a baby, thinking we weren't going to be able to have one, IVF. There were lots of areas that weren't quite right for comedy, and that they were weird or hard, or, you know, it's kind of universal, isn't it? And then especially the craziness of having a small child. People connect with that, whether they've had kids or not. So yeah, I'm enjoying talking about it.

Carl Marsh

I know that you've not long become a mother, and you've done comedy tours based on your life experiences before. So, will this new tour have material about your newfound motherhood and the trials and tribulations of pregnancy and beyond?

It must be pretty hard to find that balance; as you said, you want to sort of write your experiences down for a comedy tour in which they are real-life issues such as IVF that you and your partner went through, but you've come out the other side with a baby, yet some people don't. And they could be in the audience.

Sara Pascoe

So, the second half is… I was weighing up how much to talk about it. Because you know, you don't want to

Sara Pascoe

Yeah, you're trying to tread the line between the tragic side of things where we can laugh about it, but with a sensitivity to not just be going, "Oh, thank God it worked for me. I'd have killed myself if it hadn't!" The stuff I'm talking about is like how I think becoming a parents made me a worse person. Things like that, which actually is because I don't just want to be out there going, "Oh, my God, that stuff that people say to you like, 'Oh, it's a love that you won't understand if you haven't been through it. And until you're a parent, you won't get it'. I hated that side of being childless. So I'm not going to become that person to other people. Absolutely not. [Laughs] Carl Marsh

I used to get that all the time from my family until I became a parent. It used to annoy the hell out of me. Then when I did… Sara Pascoe

I went out with some of my friends last night, and one was complaining about another friend of ours, who'd come around to see her and said, "Oh, it's so great, but I'd love to see you without the kids". And everyone was slagging this person off, saying, "they just don't know how much organising it would take… I don't have any time". Like, how dare you!" And I thought, "Well, I'm in the gang now. I'm in the gang of people that get it!" [Laughter] Sara Pascoe - St David's Hall - Saturday 1st April 2023 - Tickets = £18/£27 16 CARDIFF TIMES

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• Entertainer leads “Happy Birthday” and helps organise photos • More entertainment until the party ends Full 2-hour package: £150 - based on up to approx. 30 children, other options for larger groups can be discussed. Extras • Princess appearance (20 mins) £30 • Glitter tattoos (full 2 hours) £30 1st Birthday Party Special Package We also offer a Special First Birthday Party Package to include gift, FREE classes for you and a friend, and a photographer for your party. Themed parties are also available at no extra charge – we can do ANY theme! We have even done a Squirrel Theme party! Check out our website with more information about activities and LOTS of reviews from happy parents and grandparents! www.partyfizz.co.uk

ACTION, FUN, MAGIC & MUSIC… THE ORIGINAL HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS

THE ELVIS WORLD TOUR 12 MAY 2023

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DISNEY 100 THE CONCERT 7 JUNE 2023

NASHVILLE THE REUNION TOUR 18 OCTOBER 2023

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20 CARDIFF TIMES

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don’t like we can change them easily before any goods are ordered and work has started.”

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“However, don’t forget that once you have finalised your design you are only halfway there – you still need to turn your dream room into reality. Here at Thomas Vaughan, we offer a complete installation service to take away the hassle of arranging the work yourself. Our service includes all plumbing, carpentry, plastering, tiling, electrical work and rubbish removal – we can even arrange the decorating to leave you with a room that’s ready to use!” “We believe that this ability to see the finished room is so important in creating a dream bathroom or kitchen that we are currently offering all our customers a free design consultation and virtual reality appointment.” If you would like more information or to arrange a free design consultation you can call Thomas Vaughan on 01443 204197 or visit their website: www.thomasvaughanltd.co.uk CARDIFF TIMES 21

Cardiff Times Editorial DPS 2023-04.indd 2

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BARD IN BED PART ONE

I recently spent some time in hospital following what used to be referred to in the Rhondda where I spent my childhood as ‘a nasty turn’. In the early days of my return home when I finally left hospital, my husband explained to friends and family on the telephone that he now had 9,750 jobs to do each day, (9,655 of which were associated with his patient, she used to be his wife but the ‘nasty turn’ had robbed her, temporarily of course, of her fairly prolific “get up and go”.) It had gone. I was turning, fast into Elizabeth Barratt Browning. But in the joyful company of cats not small dogs. He, husband that is, also, when answering the many questions about my progress on the phone from 24 CARDIFF TIMES

by Sara John

well-wishers, was always truthful and often reminded me of going shopping, when I was little, years ago, with my mother who would be questioned, if not interrogated, by neighbours, about my grandparents and their health troubles. The neighbours would want an assessment which could then be passed on to another neighbour who would label it as ‘the honest truth’. A primitive form of currency with considerable exchange value in a community where information was deemed very valuable. I was reminded of the vocabulary used then, when ‘Wenglish’ was the local patois, but it was not encouraged as a way of communicating for small children in my infants school! A subject, which still fascinates me, for another time I think, when we can do it justice.

So here are some of the remembered pronouncements at that time on the state of health, or otherwise, of elderly relatives. 1 ‘Under the weather.’ That condition was the least out of sorts anyone could be and survive. Useful for getting out of going to chapel on Sunday with the visiting minister coming from North Wales, and speaking his own, familiar to him dialect, and being considered as a likely man to do well in the championships for long windedness yet to be introduced as a category in the National Eisteddfod. 2 ‘Not up to the mark.’ As far as I know no one has yet found the mark that we are supposed to come up to. It has been suggested that the mark is the one the undertaker puts on the timber for the last resting place, or is it a mark made long ago by someone very famous but now forgotten, in an innocent game of quoits? Or a naughty boy writing the word TWP (it means stupid or a bit slow if you prefer in our local dialect) with an indelible pencil on someone’s forehead when they were asleep. The mere ownership of an indelible pencil was on a par with owning an item from the gold jewellery cache discovered in the ruins of Troy. 3 ‘Been overdoing it.’

Ask yourself is that what his wife would say? She is still waiting to have the back bedroom papered. It has been three years already and, and, her husband is actually a Painter and Decorator with City and Guilds qualifications! But, again, there is a cup tie on the television this afternoon. 4 ‘On the sofa with a rug over her.’ She felt a bit shivery, should have worn a warm coat out last night, went too long without hot food, stood in a draught outside the clubhouse where the “latest boyfriend” was at band practice and they overran! Her mother reported to Elsie next door, “I ask you is it worth it? She is, as they say in these parts a tidy girl . He is not being fair, putting the band ‘first’ . And on such a cold night”. “He clearly had no idea what she had in mind for later on. No chance now. She will be back with Brinley by the weekend, he is a lovely chap, a bit slow on the uptake, but they all are these days aren’t they? But, at least he would not know a flute from a tuba.” 5 ‘Bad in bed’ Curtains are drawn. Still sleeping. Breathing is okay. Seems rested. Still upset about the wedding. Her sister’s wedding it was. She had hoped to be chief bridesmaid wearing pale rose, but, her cousin Sonia who was always really close to the bride to be, had been chosen instead. As chief bridesmaid and as a

CARDIFF TIMES 25

‘natural’ , redhead oh really? since when was that then? She could not stand next to someone wearing rose pink when she was in amber! Not really a medical situation. More of a mental dilemma. Better phoning Boots or Clairol rather than the surgery. 6 ‘Doctor’s been, he did not like the look of her.’ It was very stupid. The event, for charity of course which was the real cause of the upset tum, she had eaten three sweet puddings, one after the other, all rich, creamy, jammy, coated in honey, and covered in icing sugar. What was she thinking? And free Babycham. As much as you wanted! 7 ‘Under the doctor.’ Which one? old Dr. Armstrong or his son y oung Dr. Armstrong? Did you need to ask??? 8 ‘Taking a turn for the worst.’ Wife is looking out that black suit she has had for years, phoning relatives who live away. He does not care about missing the coronation. She does though. She also thinks she needs a new hat, which means a trip to Cardiff. 9 ‘He looks awful.’ According to the doctor’s verdict and that is what the district nurse said as well but we’ll make sure he is comfortable. Welcome words at this time from the medical team. 26 CARDIFF TIMES

10 ‘Passed away!” “No never”, responds my mother. “So sudden, such a shock” explains the bringer of bad news in the middle of the busy street. My mother then asks, “Well how old was Bopa Ty Gwyn then?”. “She was only ninety-eight , came the reply”. was very, very sudden!”

“It

Hopefully these examples from my childhood memory paint a picture. Back, now, to Bard in Bed. Also called “My nasty turn.” I almost need help from confused dot-com to recall what must have happened, I seem to have starred in it without a script or any rehearsal. It went something like this. I awoke one Monday morning, in bed all clean and tidy from a deep sleep. My husband was sitting on the bed and at my side, seemed pleased to see me open my eyes. Was it his birthday I asked myself? He said he was waiting for the doctor; dear Dr Ali, he said he had phoned the surgery earlier. Would I like some breakfast? Yes please I replied sussing out slowly that “something had happened”. I was told to stay in bed, the due by now doctor, had suggested it was best for me to stay in bed. Why? Thought I.

While enjoying a boiled egg and toast and pretending it was Mothering Sunday all over again I listened to the never ending and somewhat worrying and long story of what my husband had endured through the last twelve hours or so. I, as usual had gone to bed as soon as the opening music for Match of the Day had come on the television, you know it I am sure, durun, durun, durun, dun, dun, durun durun for ever and ever. I like to read for an hour or so, usually something harmless like, The Housewife’s Book of Curtains for 1953, Delicious Things To Do With Damsons for Diabetics, or, Transactional Analysis, A Beginners ’ Guide for People who are Never Going to use it (let alone understand it). I put my light out and went to sleep. Just before eleven o’clock or so. I noticed the outside lights had come on and wanting to see my very special friend I got up and scanned the garden outside for him. Not a scene from Romeo and Juliet I am afraid more a touch of David Attenborough. Each evening a glorious handsome fox came to call, appearing to me by accidently triggering the outside security lights. I had, on first sight, named him Rommel. He went off and about his business quite quickly. I thought I had got back into bed and gone to sleep. Apparently not. I had collapsed at my side of the bed into a heap on the carpet, not intentionally to frighten Andrew but clearly, on hearing his side of things it had done so. I was unconscious, not asleep as I should have been. But I was breathing and I was silent but still alive, well sort of alive. I was put back into bed, warm and cosy and knowing nothing then learnt what had appeared to have happened next morning when I briefly, it seemed, returned to the land of the living. In Whitchurch. Andrew phoned my story through to our GP who said he was on his way! In no time at all the doorbell rang and I heard men’s voices getting louder and louder. I tried to look as though I had not crumbled into a heap, like one of those expensive pastries you used to get in the Louis Restaurant in St Mary’s Street, you would bite into it and, suddenly it was all gone. I sat up, pretended to be perfectly normal, tried to answer alien questions about epilepsy in the family, my own medical history, and how I was feeling. I, truth be told, was not feeling anything, I did not know what day it was, I was not convinced that I was there and questioned myself on who they were discussing. How could all of that information refer to me!

Right said the doctor after a few tests, you will have to go to hospital. Leave it to me, I will order an ambulance. There was a long delay waiting for an ambulance, just like the stories that had been on the news. I was quite glad as I needed more help than I had thought to gather myself, my thoughts, feelings, nightgowns, talcum powder, hairbrush, pens and paper, and some money might that come in useful. Andrew was so reassuring, “I will be in to visit you this evening. Get plenty of rest”, and with that the ambulance arrived with three strong and very jolly ambulance ladies. I was carried downstairs and fitted into the ambulance and made safe. The team to three introduced themselves. Then off we sped! “Right”, said the senior one, “we have good news and bad news, which do you want first?” “Bad news first” I responded warily. I stayed quiet as after the weird last twenty-four hours what else could happen? “There are eleven ambulances ahead of us at the hospital”, she announced Cardiff General Station style, “each will take some time to process.” “And the good news?” I ventured to ask. “We have ordered fish and chips as we were in at six this morning and I don’t know about you, but I am ready for some hot food, it will be delivered to us when we arrive”. I had no answer to that except “no thanks for me, it is the last thing on my mind. I was tucked in my bunk with a warm blanket and obliged them with answers to their questions about my family, career, background but nothing medical! I realised afterwards that I had been drifting in and out of unconsciousness during this time. Eventually I was unloaded and taken to my new temporary quarters and made welcome and comfortable. I was put to bed in a small ward, it reminded me of staying with cousins as a child, a novelty situation for me as I was an only child. My first and only visitors that first night was my husband whom, I noted appeared to be returning to the Land of the Living as his cheeks had changed back to his normal healthy colour, along with Cardiff Son. They could easily tell that I felt safe, warm and was going to be well looked after. ---------------------

End of Bard In Bed Part One Part two will be in the Cardiff Times next time. CARDIFF TIMES 27

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An SJM Concerts and Live Nation presentation by arrangement with UTA

The Cardiff Open Air Theatre Festival is bigger and better for its 40th year! Wales’ largest outdoor theatrical event returns to Sophia Gardens for its Ruby Jubilee this summer – and Cardiff Times readers have the chance to win a glorious evening out at the Festival! Spanning six weeks from 22 June to 29 July, this year’s programme offers something for everyone, including comedy, musicals, Shakespeare, choirs, family shows and movie nights. And with ticket sales already breaking Festival records, now is a great time to start planning your visit. The Cardiff Open Air Theatre Festival has a proud reputation for barnstorming performances and an unbeatable atmosphere, and has established its place in the hearts of Cardiff theatre-goers, attracting over 14,000 visitors to the Festival site every summer. The pop-up theatre features a 400-seat stand with all seats numbered and undercover, so audiences can enjoy outstanding outdoor entertainment while staying dry, whatever the weather! The Festival courtyard also boasts a fully licensed bar, which opens an hour prior to each performance: the perfect start to an unforgettable summer night. This year’s Festival opens with cult hit musical The Addams Family. Directed by Gregory Ashton, it promises to be a dazzling spectacle full of ghoulish giggles and freaky fun. Acclaimed festival regular Simon H West returns to direct Calendar Girls, a warm-hearted adaptation of the beloved British comedy film about courage and friendship. Meanwhile, families will love the Matilda Jr. musical, igniting the stage with Go Theatre’s trademark high-energy style. One of Shakespeare’s best-loved comedies closes the festival in late July: A Midsummer Night’s

Dream is brought vividly to life by the imagination of director Paul Clements, guaranteeing a fresh and unforgettable experience. And with music, stand-up comedy, movie nights and much more besides, the full programme is packed with shows to suit all tastes, so it’s no surprise that tickets are selling at an unprecedented speed. Discover the full list of what’s on offer at www. cardiffopenairtheatrefestival.co.uk. This year, festival organisers Everyman Theatre Cardiff have partnered with the Brewhouse & Kitchen in Sophia Gardens to offer Cardiff Times readers the chance to win an evening to remember, with a meal for two and a pair of tickets to any Festival performance of your choice! There are three chances to win between now and the start of the Festival, starting with this issue. Simply answer this question by 30 April for your chance to win: What is the name of Gomez’s daughter in The Addams Family? Send your answer to festivalcompetitions@everymantheatre.co.uk. The lucky winner will be contacted by email within 7 days of the closing date. Full T&Cs at www.cardiffopenairtheatrefestival.co.uk.

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Kings Monkton School SPONSORED FEATURE

Family Education

pupil, rather than a blanket ‘one size fits all’.

Ensuring pupils achieve the very best in their learning in these difficult financial times, by Paul Norton

Each child is an individual that learns in different ways. Our staff ensure that the learning supports the way our children learn and we enable them to fulfil their potential, rather than put up barriers to learning. For example, our classrooms are dyslexic friendly way, so that all children benefit from this approach. Our online lessons and google classrooms ensure a full curriculum is available, even if pupils cannot get into school, so there are no ‘learning gaps’.

Cost of Living We all understand the cost of living crisis that has impacted upon our lives and families over recent months. Goods and services are getting more expensive and the real value of wages has fallen. We also understand the challenges our children are facing – disjointed and often missed education through COVID and increased anxiety and depression. The facts are startling showing that April and September 2021, there was an 81% increase in referrals for children and young people's mental health services compared with the same period in 2019.

Knowing our children

Value for Money Education At Kings Monkton School we have responded to this crisis by helping our families and children. We are freezing our fees for September 2023 and adding free school meals to our primary school provision. Unlike other independent schools we do not have additional charges for examinations, and all curricula trips and games are covered in the school fees. Be the best you can be Kings Monkton School is a small, family run school which has excellent results. We do not have an entrance examination, unlike other independent schools, as we believe that all children can learn and succeed as long as they have the right environment in which to do so. Our pupils achieved 70%

A*-B at GCSE, and 81% of our pupils achieved an A*/A grade at A Level. Secret of our success Small classes – we cap our classes at 18 and core and options have even lower numbers – excellent pastoral care – we tailor our support to the needs of our children – outstanding learning and teaching – we tailor our curriculum to meet the needs of each pupils, with teaching adapted to the needs of each

To be the best you can be, we know our children very well and focus on them as a whole, giving them opportunities to grow, make mistakes, learn and develop into well rounded young adults. That is why we ensure our children have leadership opportunities and support in wellbeing and pastoral issues. We encourage pupils to find their identity and become the person they want to be – a happy child is a successful child. We also allow our pupils to be children, to laugh, play and grow – this is the secret to success and why our pupils leave us as confident, well rounded young adults. In times when things are getting more expensive and families face increasing challenges such as social media and world events, Kings Monkton School remains an affordable and safe sanctuary for our children – where they can achieve their potential and become the best they can be. Admissions@kingsmonkton.org.uk https://www.kingsmonkton.org.uk/ 029 2048 2854 CARDIFF TIMES 33

Jack Petersen

by Ralph Oates

Jack Petersen was born in Cardiff on the 2nd September 1911. Petersen showed that he was a class boxer in the amateur ranks when catching the eye of many fans who witnessed him perform. He seemed destined to join the paid ranks. Peterson hence made his professional debut on the 21st September 1931 at the Holborn Stadium, London against Bill Partridge whom he knocked out in round 4 of 6. This was the expected result for the Welshman who looked in command from the first bell. In the months which followed Petersen continued to display his skills in the ring. It was soon apparent that this man was a star in the making; a future champion with a serious threat to anyone in the domestic division both at light-heavyweight and heavyweight. On the 3rd February 1932 in his fourteenth contest, the undefeated Petersen entered the ring at the Greyfriars Hall, Cardiff to challenge Dick Power for the Welsh heavyweight crown. The contest was scheduled for 15 rounds but was over very quickly when Petersen knocked out Power in the opening session to take the championship. The result more than confirmed the potential that the Welshman had. There would of course be tougher challenges ahead, for the new Welsh title holder but at that moment Petersen appeared to have the ability to overcome them when they arrived. Four bouts after defeating Power, Petersen entered the ring on the 23rd May 1932 at the 34 CARDIFF TIMES

Image permission of Derek Rowe: Jack Petersen left, Henry Cooper centre, Tommy Farr right.

Holborn Stadium, London. This was a big moment for the Welshman since he was challenging for the British light-heavyweight crown. The defending champion was Harry Crossley a very experienced ring operator. The fight proved to be absorbing and went the full 15 rounds which saw Petersen take the championship with a points decision. In his next bout the man from Cardiff moved up a weight division and challenged Reggie Meen on the 12th July 1932 for the British heavyweight title. The fight took place at The Wimbledon Stadium, London. The bout was scheduled for 15 but was all over in the second stanza when Petersen knocked out Meen to take the title. Petersen who was now undefeated in 20 bouts became the first Welshman to win the British heavyweight crown. On his next outing in the ring, Petersen took on Germany’s Hans Schonrath on the 2nd January 1933 at the Greyfriars Hall, Cardiff in a bout scheduled for 12 but ending in round 9 when the Welshman brought the contest to a conclusion by winning by a knockout. The first defence of the British heavyweight title took place on the 26th January 1933 when Petersen met his challenger Jack Pettifer at the Olympia, Kensington, London. The champion retained his crown when he knocked out his challenger in round 12 in a bout slatted for 15. After a further 3 winning bouts Petersen put his championship on the line once again on the 12th

July 1933 at the White City Stadium, London against Jack Doyle. The 15 round encounter came to a close in round 2 when Doyle was disqualified. The end was a little disappointing for the fans in attendance, since they were expecting a hard- hitting encounter which would be full of fireworks. However for Petersen his undefeated record now stood at 26. We all have good days and bad days in life. On the 30th November 1933 Petersen had a really bad day when he suffered a loss for the first time in the paid ranks. The man who inflicted that defeat was Len Harvey a fighter who to his credit had won the British and Empire middleweight titles and also the British light-heavyweight crown. He was very experienced to say the least having accumulated a professional record of 131 bouts winning 112 losing 10 and drawing 9. When looking at that resume it was apparent that this would be no easy contest for Petersen. Harvey was a real threat to the Welshman’s reign. At the Royal Albert Hall, London the title changed hands when Harvey won the British heavyweight title by way of a 15 round points decision. This was a setback for Petersen but he wasted no time in getting his name back in the win column, thus gaining 4 victories in the months which followed. The run of success saw him get a deserved return with Len Harvey for the British crown. The contest took place on the 4th June 1934 at the White City Stadium, London. Since taking the title from Petersen, Harvey had also won the Empire crown which would also be on the line in this meeting. The Welshman had to win this fight to get his career back on track, defeat was not an option to lose again would be a disaster for him. On the night Petersen was very much on form and gained revenge by stopping Harvey in round 12 of 15 to take the titles. This was a good win for Petersen who found that he was once again a major attraction in the sport. At that moment in time the reigning World heavyweight Champion was Italian Primo Carnera. After two more winning bouts Petersen met Germany’s Walter Neusel a fighter who was no easy touch. The two crossed gloves on the 4th February 1935 at the Wembley Arena, London. The contest was scheduled for 15 rounds. For the second time in his professional career the Welshman left the ring a defeated fighter when he retired in round 11. A return between

the pair took place on the 25th June 1935 in a bout scheduled for the duration of 12 rounds. It was hoped that Petersen would gain revenge and hence get his career back on a successful footing. It was not to be. Petersen retired in round 10. There was no two ways about it, the defeat was a massive setback for the Welshman. On the 29th January 1936 Petersen returned to the square ring and in a contest which took place at the Wembley Arena he successfully defended his British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles against Len Harvey earning a 15 round points decision. The Cardiff man stepped between the ropes once again on the 23rd April 1936 where upon he met the highly dangerous Jock McAvoy in defence of his titles the venue being the Earls Court Empress Hall, Kensington London. This was a risky assignment for the Welsh fighter. However after 15 rounds Petersen left the ring with his champion status still intact when he was given a 15 round points decision. All now appeared to be going well for the Welshman however on the 17th August 1936 he entered the fray at the Welford Road Stadium, Leicester to defend his titles against Ben Foord. Petersen had defeated Foord in a non-title fight on the 8th March 1934 at the Royal Albert Hall by a stoppage in round 13 of 15. A victory looked to be very much on the cards for Petersen but in boxing nothing can be taken for granted in round 3 of 15 he was stopped by his challenger. After a brief rest Petersen once again took to the ring and once again faced Germany’s Walter Neusel in a 12-round contest at the Harringay Arena. It was hoped that it would be third time lucky for Petersen after previously suffering two defeats at the hands of Neusel. Yet once again the German fighter defeated the Welshman who retired in round 10. The Welshman could not get past the German fighter. The Neusel contest proved to be the last time that Petersen would box inside the professional ring, he later retired from the sport. His resume was more than credible having taken part in 40 bouts winning 35 and losing 5. There was no doubt that Jack Petersen was a credit to the sport of boxing. He was well respected and in retirement was a fine ambassador for the sport. He was awarded the OBE in 1978 and sadly died on the 22nd November 1990. CARDIFF TIMES 35

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Raising Awareness of Endometriosis March marked Endometriosis Awareness Month . With this in mind, we caught up with Alex Hazlehurst who suffers with endometriosis and has had it her whole life. The symptoms started at the age of 14 but it took until the age of 26 to be diagnosed.

the disease itself. There is a new drug that is the first non-hormonebased treatment that is yet to be approved for endometriosis treatment. studies are showing promising results and it is the first new development in over 40 years giving new hope to patients.

Unfortunately Alex's story is not exceptional, the average wait in England for diagnosis is 7 years and a staggering 10 years in Wales.

There is no cure for endometriosis and much more awareness and research is needed. There is no way to prevent endometriosis. As scientists do not yet know the cause there is no known way to prevent the disease. Some studies suggest it could be genetic but further research is required.

What is endometriosis? Endometriosis or endo as it’s often referred to is a chronic disease where tissue that is similar (not the same) as the endometrium (lining of the uterus), grows outside of the uterus. It causes lesions and scar tissue to build up that sticks organs together. The tissue responds to hormones in the same way as the endometrium and bleeds and breaks down each month. However this blood has nowhere to go so causes pain and inflammation in the body. The build of this sticky scar tissue can cause damage to organs and leave women infertile and or living with secondary organ damage. Endometriosis affects more than 1 in 10 women worldwide. What does it feel like living with endometriosis? Living with endometriosis for many women can be a very isolating experience. It takes years to get diagnosed , women are often told by GPs that the pain they suffer is normal, imagined, exaggerated or is often misdiagnosed as IBS before being referred to a specialist for diagnosis. Access to treatment often involves lengthy waiting times even pre Covid, so many women suffer alone in silence. Workplaces are often unaware

and uneducated as to how endometriosis can be debilitating for some women and how it can affect a women’s health leading to difficulties in the workplace . Many people dismiss endo as bad periods however this is another example of misunderstanding and lack of education. Living with any chronic pain condition is difficult but endo patients can face huge emotional challenges due to the disease being the leading cause of infertility in women. Currently there is no mental health support offered on the NHS specifically to deal with this. How do you treat endometriosis and is there a cure? Currently there is no known cure for endometriosis. The gold standard of treatment is surgical excision of the disease. However many women endure years of hormone based treatments like the contraceptive pill to mask the symptoms and control periods. For some women this is enough to control symptoms however it is not an effective treatment of

What improvements would you like to see for the care and diagnosis? A greater understanding of the disease at a primary care level would help see that women are not enduring years of suffering before gaining a diagnosis and thus would lead to quicker access to specialist care. More funding needs to go into research as women’s health is often comparatively underfunded. This disease affects as many women as asthma and diabetes, yet little has changed in terms of research and treatment options available to them for over 50 years. Here in Wales there are currently only 2 specialist consultant gynaecologists . It is vital that funding is set aside and more specialists are recruited to Wales so that women here aren’t forced to face either years waiting for specialist treatment or pay for private surgery. For further information visit: www.endometriosis-uk.org/ www.nhs.uk/conditions/ endometriosis/ CARDIFF TIMES 39

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Don’t face Grief alone

by Natalie McCulloch

Losing someone can be one of the most painful times of your life and can impact on all aspects of your health and wellbeing. No one can take that pain away or tell you what grief will look like for you, or when it will ease, however what they can assure you of is that you do not have to face grief alone. Let CRUSE be there for you… ‘Cruse’, the UK’s leading Bereavement charity, has a vision of a world where everyone grieving is supported, respected and understood. Through information, campaigning and support, they make this vision achievable. Cruse offer a range of services to help people when they need it the most including an information packed website, FREE helpline, one to one counselling support and support via social media. These services aim to be inclusive to meet everyone’s needs, no matter what gender, age or stage of the grieving process someone is in. They even involve nature…. The link between mood, wellbeing and exercise is widely promoted, just getting out in the fresh air and surrounding yourself with nature can make a big difference. Walking with others can help you to form connections, walking side by side can also make difficult conversation feel easier than talking face to face. For this reason, the Connecting Communities Project have launched the ‘We walk together’ walking group in Cardiff for those experiencing bereavement. It’s generally a gentle walk around Roath Park followed by coffee and cake offering a chance to come along and talk to people in a similar position. The walk takes the form of informal talking, it’s not counselling, but the chance for people to find someone to talk to who understands where they are

coming from. Anyone can come and there is no need to register. If you have any queries just give Nigel Doré a call (07939 936112), he would be delighted to answer any questions you may have and guide you in the right direction. Nigel Doré is the community development officer for Cruse, and encourages people to get involved: “What would I say to people thinking of coming, just come along, find out what we are about and if it’s not for you we can talk to see what may suit you.” Over to you…. We will all be bereaved at some point in our lives, and 60% of us will turn to our friends, families, colleagues and communities for support. Cruse are passionate about enabling others to help themselves and their communities. They aim to broaden people’s understanding of loss and bereavement, develop knowledge on how to provide emotional and practical support for those grieving and increase skills to help

44 CARDIFF TIMES

support others within their communities. Research shows that in the UK just under half of people (49%) who have not experienced a bereavement feel unprepared in knowing what to say to a bereaved friend or relative. In response to this, Cruse have recently launched the community grief hub in STAR Hyb, in Splott Park, where ‘Compassionate Community Workshops’ will be run monthly to help people to feel more confident to talk about grief and bereavement and give them the skills to help bereaved community members when they need it most. Each workshop runs for 3.5 hours and can have up to 20 attendees, they are suitable for anyone in the community who wants to learn more about grief. The Community Grief Hub is aiming to break down barriers surrounding grief and to support communities to have conversations about grief and bereavement. Nigel Doré, the community development officer for Cruse, is working closely with local CO-OP representatives and community leaders to deliver training groups across Splott and build relationships across the community to identify ways to best support people experiencing bereavement and grief. If you would like to attend the free training sessions, or support Cruse in engaging with your community then get in touch! Maybe you think this training could help your workplace in supporting grief? Or maybe the community group you attend could support having these conversations? Whatever your reason, there is a warm welcome waiting for you. Children and young people who are experiencing bereavement are encouraged to utilise Cruse services designed especially with their needs in mind. Cruse are keen to develop bereavement services for this age range and invite people aged 12-24 to join their Youth Advisory Group. This group will work together to promote young Cruse, give advice and training on youth bereavement issues and raise community awareness of the issues surrounding childhood bereavement. If you are a young person and want to help others following a bereavement,

want to gain skills and meet new people why not consider joining the Youth Advisory Group and make a difference to your peers. If you are interested in knowing more about any of the services or opportunities listed above, please don’t hesitate to contact Nigel to find out more! Get in touch with Nigel to hear more and get involved! Nigel Doré Community Development Officer Cruse Bereavement Support Mobile: 07939 936112 Email: Nigel.Dore@cruse.org.uk Together we can build a community where grief and bereavement are met with compassion, care and open communication.

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Extra time at the museum Amgueddfa Cymru has announced that it will pilot extended opening hours at National Museum Cardiff. Entry to the museum will remain free of charge. Visitors to National Museum Cardiff can marvel at the world-class art collection of Impressionist paintings and contemporary and historical art; be transported back in time and discover the dinosaur collection; and visit the temporary exhibitions at the museum, including BBC 100 in Wales (on display until 16 April 2023) and The Sea Horizons photography exhibition (18 February – 10 September 2023). The museum will remain open until 9pm on the first Thursday of the month starting 7 July 2023 until June. Visitors can also enjoy extended openings on: •

6 April

•

4 May

•

1 June

National Museum Cardiff visitors can also take in the beauty of the Grade II listed building whilst enjoying a drink or a bite to eat in

the main hall, complete with table service. Janice Lane, Director of Visitor Experience at Amgueddfa Cymru says: “We’re delighted to offer additional evening opening times for people to enjoy their museums and their national collections for free. Museums are places for meeting and spending time with friends and family as well as places for learning and wellbeing. We hope that extending our opening hours

into the evening offers people a different opportunity to come together in our museums, to explore, have fun and to enjoy the wonderful objects on display. Drop in to visit us on your way back from work, or shopping or meet up with friends at the museum as part of your evening out.” Both museums are free to enter and are open for all to enjoy with no booking required – for more information on the extended opening hours, visit www.museum.wales Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales is a family of seven museums and a collections centre, which are all free to enter thanks to the support of the Welsh Government. Together, it is home to the nation’s art, history, heritage, and science collections, which will continue to grow so that they can be used and enjoyed by both present and future generations. One of its museums, St Fagans National Museum of History which explores the history and culture of Wales, won Art Fund Museum of the Year 2019. CARDIFF TIMES 47

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Quality care in Lisvane, Cardiff you can trust

When a family is thinking about care for a loved one, they want the best - they want to know that the care home they choose will put their loved one’s safety, happiness and wellbeing first. Care UK’s Llys Herbert care home in Lisvane, Cardiff opens in July 2023 and will provide high quality residential and dementia care for older people. The home is designed to the latest dementia standards with every luxury has been thought of, with its own café, hair salon, cinema and bar. Living at Llys Herbert will be all about quality of life, with every colleague passionate about enabling residents to enjoy a fulfilling lifestyle. The lifestyle team will organise a huge variety of group and oneto-one activities, tailored around resident’s unique needs and preferences. There will be plenty going on each day, as well as regular outings and live entertainment. With the extra support that Care UK offers, new residents are often surprised at what they can do,

whether that’s being able to continue with an activity they’ve enjoyed in the past, or even discovering new hobbies with our daily activities. Whether your loved one enjoys a quiet cup of tea in bed before starting the day, loves going for strolls in the garden, or enjoys a chat over a beer, the team at Llys Herbert will spend time to enable them to continue living life the way they want to. Llys Herbert is part of award-winning provider, Care UK – one of the UK’s most successful care home operators* with over 40 years’ experience of delivering high quality care to older people. Care UK has more ‘Outstanding’-rated homes than any other provider, and have won more awards than any other provider in the last three years. Llys Herbert care home Ty-Draw Rd,Cardiff CF14 0AW careuk.com/llys-herbert jenny.ashton@careuk.com 029 2120 2697 *As rated by the Care Quality Commission in England and the Care Inspectorate in Scotland. CARDIFF TIMES 53

£12 £12 £12

Welcome to Llys Herbert, Lisvane, Cardiff Llys Herbert care home, opening 3rd July in Lisvane, will provide high quality care to its residents in luxurious and comfortable surroundings. Hair and beauty salon Café Cinema and bar

Trusted to care.

Marketing suite now open 029 2120 2697 jenny.ashton@careuk.com careuk.com/llys-herbert Scan to register your interest.

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Cardiff Times - April 2023

Articles inside

Quality care in Lisvane, Cardiff you can trust

Extra time at the museum

Don’t face Grief alone

Raising Awareness of Endometriosis

Jack Petersen

Kings Monkton School

The Cardiff Open Air Theatre Festival

BARD IN BED PART ONE

Step Into Your Dream Room with 4D Virtual Reality

Party Fizz, Fun Filled and Stress-Free Parties –Creating Magical Moments and Special Memories!

In The Words Of by

KEEPING YOU IN SIGHT FOR LIFE

Viney Hearing Care

How do yo u c lean your e ar s?

The Joys of Retail Therapy

Alice in Wonderland

GARY Y PINK ARD